Orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Christian Balldin was interviewed last week by WOAI Radio about safety precautions for an injury-free holiday season. Check out the full interview: https://woai.iheart.com/articles/woai-local-news-sponsored-by-five-119078/tis-the-season-for-homeowners-to-13013556/
A new report released by University Health System shows a significant increase in injuries related to falls over the past 5 years and the holidays are a common time for people to fall off ladders while attempting to hang Christmas lights.
According to Dr. Balldin, “We see a number of injuries all the way from significant injuries of the foot to hip fractures and lower back fractures.“
When using a ladder for holiday decorations, the National Safety Council recommends you:
- Always keep 3 points of contact with the ladder (i.e. two feet and one hand).
- Use a ladder with grips on the feet to avoid slipping.
- Wear shoes that give you good traction.
If you are uncomfortable on a ladder, the holidays are probably not the best time to push that comfort level and there are other options. There are companies you can hire to hang your Christmas lights for you and the cost is nominal compared to a trip to the emergency room.
Also, if you’re thinking about operating a power tool on a ladder, STOP NOW. Earlier this year, Greg Norman illustrated the dangers of this particular activity when he was injured when his chainsaw slipped while trimming branches.
Dr. Balldin recommends using common sense and caution to stay safe this holiday season. “If you have to think about whether you should do it or not, you probably shouldn’t do it.”
Dr. Christian Balldin is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon, fellowship trained in sports medicine. He treats patients aged 3 years and up for any sports-related injury as well as conditions of the shoulder, hip, and knee. His special interests include complex knee reconstruction and shoulder arthroscopy. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Balldin, please call 210.281.9595.
